Mandelblit
Photo: Barel Efraim
Attorney general: It's my duty to deal with the prime minister's investigations
Speaking to a legal conference, Avichai Mandelblit insists that, as long as he holds his position, it is incumbent upon him to deal with the investigations into Benjamin Netanyahu, working both swiftly and effectively.
The attorney general gave a press conference on Friday morning in Eilat regarding the investigations into the prime minister and said that the legal proceedings are his "duty."
Avichai Mandelblit was speaking to a criminal law conference organized by the Israeli Bar Association in the southern city when he spoke of what he considered his professional responsibility to investigate Benjamin Netanyahu based on allegations that he accepted illicit gifts from wealthy businessmen.
The AG at the conference (Photo: Barel Efraim)
The attorney general said, "I frequently hear voices that call me not to deal with the cases connected to the prime minister. This is my duty, so long as there is no reason in law to prevent me from dealing with it. As long as I am in this position, it is my duty…my handling of the said cases is only observing instructions from the Basic Law."
Mandelblit explained that he was acting in the public's interest in releasing information regarding the cases. The High Court of Justice had ruled previously that he was not prevented with dealing with such issues, he added.
He described his position as attorney general: "Enforcing the law requires executing determined investigations and bringing criminals to justice…alongside that, the law enforcement system, which seeks to uphold the rule of law, must also act with careful judgment and with responsible use of the authorities granted to it."
Regarding investigating public figures, he said, "The first principle is fast and effective handling." Drawing out an investigation "damages public trust," he elaborated. "The second principle is professional and fundamental examination of the evidentiary infrastructure." Mandelblit emphasized that speed must not affect the quality of an investigation.
